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Strawberry Tree

Since moving to Washington, I have discovered a great number of new trees. One of my favorites is the Strawberry Tree ( Arbutus unedo ). It is a four-season tree with semi-glossy evergreen leaves and lovely mahogany bark. In autumn, clusters of white flowers appear, bearing a resemblance to Lily-of-the-Valley flowers. And then there are the little fruits, which resemble strawberries that appear at the same time as the flowers. I am not sure why, but I have only seen a few fruits on ours. I don't know if birds are getting them before I see them or what happens. The fruits are said to be edible but not very tasty (to humans). This year, our tree is loaded with flowers, the most I've ever seen. Bees absolutely love it and so do the hummingbirds. The flowers usually continue to appear straight through winter, and it can be blooming even during the coldest periods of winter. Aside from the fact that I have not seen much of the colorful fruits, the major negative note is the fact tha
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Autumn lovelies


amsonia-geranium-rozanne-2
Blue Star (Amsonia hubrechtii) and Geranium 'Rozanne'


Salvia 'Amistad' and Pinus mugo 'Aurea'
Salvia 'Amistad' and Mugo Pine 'Aurea'

Lagerstoemia (Crape Myrtle 'Catawba')
Crape Myrtle (Lagerstoemia 'Catawba')

eupatorium-rugosum-chocolate-snakeroot
Snakeroot (Eupatorium rugosum)

Dogwood (Cornus florida) Fall foliage
Dogwood (Cornus florida)

aster-monte-cassino
Aster 'Monte Cassino'

cuphea-stribling-sunset
Cuphea 'Strying Sunset'


panicum-virgatum-shenandoah

Panicum 'Shenandoah'


 Candy Lily (Iris norrisii)

 Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum)

 Lettuce 'Multi-leaf Salanova'

 Sourwood (Oxydendrum)

Salvia 'Hot Lips'

 Snowbell (Styrax japonicus)

Pineapple Sage (Salvia elegans)

Sunflower




Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Comments

  1. Hoover BooOctober 29, 2017 at 8:10 PM

    Good grief, even your lettuce is beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverOctober 30, 2017 at 9:21 AM

      First time I have grown that variety and I just picked it out of the blue off the table at the nursery. It is very pretty! I have not eaten any yet.

      Delete
  2. Lisa at GreenbowOctober 30, 2017 at 3:11 AM

    You still have lots of rich color in your garden. I like the combos in the first few photos.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AaronOctober 30, 2017 at 7:07 AM

    Great vignettes!

    PS - Quick question -- When do you sow your lettuce?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverOctober 30, 2017 at 9:19 AM

      Aaron, seeds are sown here in February or March and in August for fall crops. I have become so frustrated with keeping up with seeds that I have come to the conclusion that buying plants is better for me. I planted these latest lettuce starts in late September.

      Delete
  4. danger gardenOctober 30, 2017 at 9:11 AM

    I'm not normally a fan of the Aster, but your photo of the Aster 'Monte Cassino' is just gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  5. outlawgardenerNovember 1, 2017 at 7:00 AM

    Very nice color all around but the first two shots of purple blooms with gold foliage are glorious in their richness!

    ReplyDelete
  6. RobinLNovember 4, 2017 at 6:19 PM

    Your autumn photos took me breath away, just stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  7. debsgardenNovember 6, 2017 at 2:17 PM

    Great autumn colors! The purple and gold images are gorgeous, and I really like the Candy Lily, which I was not familiar with. Happy fall!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Alyse LansingNovember 6, 2017 at 3:23 PM

    I am FINALLY figuring out how to follow blogs better (slowly, gradually). Your photography is wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  9. LINDA from Each Little WorldNovember 7, 2017 at 8:44 AM

    That lettuce is as pretty as any flower. I just discovered that there are golden Mugo pines so it's exciting to see one.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Kate McMillan (Cultiverity)November 7, 2017 at 11:11 AM

    Just gorgeous! That salvia + mugo pine combo especially sings to me.

    ReplyDelete
  11. UnknownNovember 8, 2017 at 5:59 PM

    All beautiful, but those first couple of photos with blue and gold really do set the stage.

    ReplyDelete
  12. sweetbayNovember 21, 2017 at 12:16 PM

    Rozanne and Amsonia make a beautiful combination!

    ReplyDelete

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